David snapped back to reality, mulling things over before shaking his head, "Nope."


    "No?" Devon, though always a bit skeptical about Mirabe''s diagnosis, figured it was better to y it safe when it came to his mentor''s health. "Maybe you should give it another thought?"


    "Did Mirabe mention this to you?" David suddenly asked.


    Devon nodded, "Yeah, she said your health isn''t looking too good and that the chronic toxins are acting up."


    He held back from saying "burning the candle at both ends," not wanting to add more stress to his mentor.


    David went silent for a moment, his hand on the nket tightening a bit. After a pause, he looked up at Devon, his face expressionless, "I haven''t been taking any other meds."


    Devon studied David closely but couldn''t read anything from his expression, finally suggesting, "Maybe it''s a misdiagnosis."


    "Maybe." David nodded, adding, "I know my body well. It''s just some old nagging issues, nothing major."


    Devon agreed, considering his mentor''s medical skills were nothing to scoff at. Feeling a bit reassured, he nced at the medicine in his hand, contemting before saying, "Let''s skip this medicine, then."


    Better safe than sorry.


    "Alright," David replied softly, steering clear of further discussion on the meds or the association.


    After chatting a bit more, Devon noticed the fatigue creeping back onto David''s face and helped him lie down once again.


    Just as he was about to leave, Devon, with the medicine bottle in hand, remembered something and turned back to David, "Oh, by the way, I forgot to ask, how good is Ms. Mirabe at medicine?"


    David tilted his head, looking at Devon who stood silhouetted by the light, a hint of admiration in his tired eyes, "Her medical skills are way beyond mine. You should definitely learn from her."


    Hearing this, Devon''s heart sank. If Mirabe''s skills were indeed superior, then her diagnosis might be spot on.


    Master was definitely hiding something.


    Devon opened his mouth to speak but hesitated, instead saying, "Right, I will. You rest up, teacher."


    He left the room, his steps heavy and his eyes clouded with worry.


    Inside, Davidy wide awake, staring at the ceiling, a bitter smile ying on his lips.


    He hadn''t realized that the medicine


    he


    was


    Even if he knew, he tho


    just par for the course.


    it


    After all, it''smon knowledge that medicine often has its downsides, but they usually don''t hit you hard.


    **


    The next afternoon.


    Mirabe arrived at David''s ce with James in tow. The butler showed them into the living room.


    David was waiting there, and when they entered, he quickly got up, "Mirabe, James, d you made it."


    James gave a slight nod, "David."


    David smiled, inviting them to sit and chat, then asked the butler to brew some coffee.


    Once seated, Mirabe nced at


    slightace, her brow fu


    David''s


    The toxin had spread


    fast overnight.


    "Have you been taking that medicine again?" Mirabe cut straight to the chase.


    David''s hand rested on the chair''s


    arm, trembling slightly if you looked close enough. He shook his head, "No, my health''s been like this for a while now."